Animal marking device



Nqv. 8, 1949 Filed Sept. 1, 1944 J. L. JOURG EN SEN' 2,487,557

ANIMAL MARKING DEVICE SShts-Sheet 1 Inventor Y Z k /rae/r By V Nov. 8,1949 Filed Sept. 1, 19,44

J. L. JOURGENSEN ANIMAL MARKING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 0 yen to rJi/IZ. c/O f cage 8,19 9 J.L.JOURGENSEN 2, 81,551

ANIMAL MARKING DEVICE Filed Sept. 1, 1944 3 Shets-Sheet 3 linen/0r 6 /f/766 (J. arm W 12% ?atented Nov. 8, i949 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE3,487,557 ANIMAL MARKING DEVICE John L. Jourgensen, Casper, Wyo.

Application September 1, 1944, Serial No. 552,354

1 Claim.

This invention pertains to an animal marking apparatus or moreparticularly sheep marking for use during the breeding season andconsists in the combination of two main devices, namely, a marking padand an attachment or harness for securing the pad in position on ananimal.

The aim of the invention is to supply an apparatus of this character ofsimple construction, at low cost, made of easily obtainable material,having great strength and being easily adjusted and applied. It has thefurther advantage that a pad of a special crayon composition, will lastat least ten days, so that, after the lapse of that period, all eweshaving received a mark indication coition with a ram, may be withdrawnfrom th flock. The period of gestation of the female sheep (ewes) isthen figured and in the spring when the ewes are giving birth tolambs,the stockmen are able to prepare proper feed, water and shelter for aknown number of lambs and their mothers. This apparatus also has theadvantage that fewer rams will be needed for a certain size of flock. Sofor instance, one stockman using this harness and marker for a flockclaims that whereas it required six rams for every two hundred sheep, henow uses at the rate of three rains for each hundred-fifty ewes,amounting to a saving of $2000.00 9. year. This also makes acorresponding saving of feed and water, labor of tending the flock; allof which are great items in dry, arid wool growing States.

If, on the other hand, a stockman does not wish to withdraw ewes havingreceived mark indicating coition, he may, by a. simple change in colorof crayon, continue the rams in the band of sheep, and at the end ofanother ten day period, determine the time when the second bunch ofmothers will have lambs. This gives the stockman the advantage ofhandling only small bunches of mothers at a time during spring lambing,eliminating the need of shed shelter, feed, and labor which would benecessary if the whole band of sheep had to be cared for on the lambingground, at one time.

The apparatus is so constructed that the several parts do not have sharpedges which would catch on the female animals back, and does notrestrict proper action of the male animal during the process of coition.

It is further possible to determine from the use of this markingcompound and apparatusplaced on a ram of doubtful reproductive abilitywhether or not he is covering an average number of ewes, if not, he canbe removed. Ifhe covers an average number of ewes but lamb crop from Iof Figure 2.

' Figure 4 is a vertical section along line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the crayon or marking pad in its tray,upside down.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the holder alone, and

Figure 7 is a front 'view of the harness in position around the ram'sneck.

, Regarding first the marking pad or crayon it, Figure 5, the same iscompact to fit in an oblong tray or holder H, see particularly Figures3, 4, 5 and 6, and to have suflicient firmness and consistency withoutdeterioration, melting or loss of marking efiiciency at temperaturesranging from F. down to 10 below zero.

This crayon i0 is compounded in the following manner of the ingredientsin approximate weight proportions: Parts Mineral wax 38.70 Coloringmatter of mineral or animal pigment 25.80 Mineral oil 19.35 Amphibolefiber 38.73 v

The mineral wax is used for carrying color so as not to be rubbed outtoo quickly and is not a sticky type of wax.

The mineral oil is provided to soften the crayon sumciently to insuremarking between the temperature limits stated, yet its combination withthe mineral wax prevents a too rapid marking.

The amphibole fiber, which is a compound of calcium, magnesium andsilica, functions to give to the vcrayon suflicient texture and tenacitynot to slip ofi the reinforcing wire by which it is retained on thetray.

The mineral wax is heated in a kettle until completely melted at atemperature from to 122 F. The coloring material is thereupon addedunder continuous agitation. Lastly at a temperature of about F. theamphibole fiber is added with continuous agitation. Lowering the Y at 22and are stitched together.

temperature to about 135 F; the compound is then poured and shaped incollapsible wooden I vmolds in which said trays have been first de- 4cling the rams body and are united by the buckle 28 to provide a firmhold on the ram around its rection and provided with side flanges l2,bent upwardly, silghtly inclined so as to have a good hold on the crayonproper III. In order to still further insure a good hold, a bent wire I2is secured in the bottom, slightly spaced therefrom, in eyelets I4. Ahole It is provided in the tray for locking the tray to the harness bymeans of a pin l8,

This tray is placed in the collapsible mold and the crayon compoundpoured over it. After cooling, the crayon is cut out from the mold and,adhering to the tray II as a unit, forms the marker proper.

This crayon unit In, H flts in corresponding holder I6 firmly secured onthe harness. This holder is of the same tapered shape as the tray Handis provided with side flanges l1 adapted to engage the correspondingtray flanges I2 to hold the marking pad in place on the harness. Thisholder is also made of sheet material and attached as by rivets I! tothe harness fabric. The marking pad III, II is locked in position by acotter pin it, engaging in corresponding holes provided in the flangesl2 and [1. In order to give proper registration between said holes andthe crayon It, a hot awl may be run through the same from the holes 15.

The harness proper, best seen in Figures 2, 3 and 4 in detail andassembled in Figures 1 and 7 consists of a large breast pad 20, made ofheavy canvas or other textile material formed with a pair of forwardarms 2| which are shown crossed Suitable canvas shoulder, just back ofthe front legs.

As indicated in Figure 1 the crayon pad or marker will in this manner besecured near and in front of the fore legs of the animal, so that acolored mark or impression will be made as a distinguishing mark on theewes back after .coition.

' varied widely without departing from the spirit straps 23 formextensions to the arms 2| adapted of the invention as defined by thesubjoined claim.

I claim:

A harness for supporting the crayon of a marking device for maleanimals, comprising an elongatedrectangular canvas breast shieldcarrying a crayon holder on its front portion, located in front of thefore legs, said front portion being provided ,with two projecting stripscrossed and secure together, diagonal strips joining each projectingstrip to the middle portion of the breast shield, holding straps runningover the nape of the neck of the animal attached to the ends of saidprojecting strips, and a further belt like strap, attached transverselyto the rear'end of the elongated shield encircling the body of theanimal behind the fore legs.

JOHN L. JOURGENSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent: 1

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 128,236 McIntyre June 25, 1872838,310 Evans Dec. 11, 1906 1,237,983 Werner Aug. 21, 1917 2,286,018Smith June 9, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 455 Germany Aug.4, 1877 414,378 France June 17, 1910 692,412 France Aug. 4, 1930

